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Computer - Number System

The document explains how computers use number systems to interpret data, focusing on the decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems. Each system has a specific base and set of digits, with examples illustrating how to convert between these systems and their decimal equivalents. Understanding these number systems is essential for computer programmers and IT professionals.

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2 views3 pages

Computer - Number System

The document explains how computers use number systems to interpret data, focusing on the decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems. Each system has a specific base and set of digits, with examples illustrating how to convert between these systems and their decimal equivalents. Understanding these number systems is essential for computer programmers and IT professionals.

Uploaded by

disawa3755
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer - Number System

When we type some letters or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can
understand only numbers. A computer can understand the positional number system where there
are only a few symbols called digits and these symbols represent different values depending on the
position they occupy in the number.

The value of each digit in a number can be determined using −

The digit

The position of the digit in the number

The base of the number system (where the base is defined as the total number of digits
available in the number system)

Decimal Number System


The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system. Decimal
number system has base 10 as it uses 10 digits from 0 to 9. In decimal number system, the
successive positions to the left of the decimal point represent units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and
so on.

Each position represents a specific power of the base (10). For example, the decimal number 1234
consists of the digit 4 in the units position, 3 in the tens position, 2 in the hundreds position, and 1
in the thousands position. Its value can be written as

(1 x 1000)+ (2 x 100)+ (3 x 10)+ (4 x l)

(1 x 103)+ (2 x 102)+ (3 x 101)+ (4 x l00)


1000 + 200 + 30 + 4
1234

As a computer programmer or an IT professional, you should understand the following number


systems which are frequently used in computers.

S.No. Number System and Description

Binary Number System


1
Base 2. Digits used : 0, 1

Octal Number System


2
Base 8. Digits used : 0 to 7

Hexa Decimal Number System


3
Base 16. Digits used: 0 to 9, Letters used : A- F

Binary Number System


Characteristics of the binary number system are as follows −

Uses two digits, 0 and 1

Also called as base 2 number system

Each position in a binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Example 20

Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base (2). Example 2x where x
represents the last position - 1.

Example
Binary Number: 101012

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Number Decimal Number

Step 1 101012 ((1 x 24) + (0 x 23) + (1 x 22) + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10

Step 2 101012 (16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1)10

Step 3 101012 2110

Note − 101012 is normally written as 10101.

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Octal Number System


Characteristics of the octal number system are as follows −

Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Also called as base 8 number system

Each position in an octal number represents a 0 power of the base (8). Example 80

Last position in an octal number represents a x power of the base (8). Example 8x where x
represents the last position - 1

Example
Octal Number: 125708

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Octal Number Decimal Number


Step 1 125708 ((1 x 84) + (2 x 83) + (5 x 82) + (7 x 81) + (0 x 80))10

Step 2 125708 (4096 + 1024 + 320 + 56 + 0)10

Step 3 125708 549610

Note − 125708 is normally written as 12570.

Hexadecimal Number System


Characteristics of hexadecimal number system are as follows −

Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F

Letters represent the numbers starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F
= 15

Also called as base 16 number system

Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16). Example, 160

Last position in a hexadecimal number represents a x power of the base (16). Example 16x
where x represents the last position - 1

Example
Hexadecimal Number: 19FDE16

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Binary
Step Decimal Number
Number

Step 1 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (F x 162) + (D x 161) + (E x 160))10

Step 2 19FDE16 ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (15 x 162) + (13 x 161) + (14 x 160))10

Step 3 19FDE16 (65536+ 36864 + 3840 + 208 + 14)10

Step 4 19FDE16 10646210

Note − 19FDE16 is normally written as 19FDE.

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